Why in news?

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has asked state Chief Ministers to stop the forced sale of nano-fertilisers or biostimulants with subsidised fertilisers like urea and DAP.

Many farmers complained that shopkeepers were not giving them subsidised fertilisers unless they also bought biostimulants. Farmers also said these biostimulants were not working well.

The Minister said a full review is needed. If biostimulants do not help farmers, their sale will not be allowed.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Biostimulants
• Key Differences Between Biostimulants and Fertilizers
• India’s Growing Biostimulant Market
• Why the Government Began Regulating Biostimulants?
• FCO Guidelines on Biostimulants
• Government Tightens Regulations on Biostimulants

About Biostimulants

• These are substances or microorganisms that help improve plant growth and productivity.
• They work by stimulating natural processes in plants, such as nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, and overall yield.
• These substances are sometimes made from plant waste or seaweed
• According to the Fertiliser Control Order of 1985, biostimulants are used on plants, seeds, or soil (rhizosphere) to support growth and do not include pesticides or plant growth regulators, which are governed by separate laws.
• Benefits of Biostimulants
  • Stress Tolerance Enhancement - Improve plant response to environmental stress (drought, heat); Boost germination, root growth, and nutrient uptake.
  • Better Grain & Fruit Quality - Enhance grain fill in crops like corn; Support fruit coloring and postharvest quality; Improve drought resilience during critical growth phases.
  • Growth Promotion - Contain growth-promoting microbes; Increase leaf area, seedling height, and overall crop yield.

Key Differences Between Biostimulants and Fertilizers

• Function
  • Fertilizers: Supply essential nutrients (NPK) directly.
  • Biostimulants: Enhance nutrient uptake and internal plant processes.
• Plant Health Approach
  • Fertilizers: Focus on basic growth through nutrition.
  • Biostimulants: Improve stress tolerance and overall resilience.
• Soil Impact
  • Fertilizers: May degrade soil and harm microbes with overuse.
  • Biostimulants: Boost soil microbes and improve long-term fertility.
• Regulation
  • Fertilizers: Tightly regulated based on nutrient content.
  • Biostimulants: Less regulated; defined by function, not content.
• Environmental Effect
  • Fertilizers: Risk of runoff and pollution.
  • Biostimulants: Eco-friendly; reduce need for excess fertilizer.

India’s Growing Biostimulant Market

• India’s biostimulant market was valued at USD 355.53 million in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 1,135.96 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 15.64%.
• However, the market has faced issues with unregulated products.
• Union Agriculture Minister stated that nearly 30,000 biostimulant products were sold without checks for years.
• Even in the past four years, around 8,000 such products remained in use.
  • Due to stricter regulations now enforced, the number has dropped to about 650 as of July 15.
    • In May 2025, the Agriculture Ministry issued new specifications for biostimulants for various crops, signalling a more stringent and standardised regulatory approach going forward.

Why the Government Began Regulating Biostimulants?

• Biostimulants were long sold without government approval because they did not fall under the categories of fertilisers or pesticides regulated by the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985, or the Insecticides Act, 1968.
• In 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that any product claiming to act like a fertiliser or insecticide but not covered under existing laws must be examined by state authorities before being sold.
• As biostimulant use grew, the Centre took notice. By 2017, NITI Aayog and the Agriculture Ministry began drafting a regulatory framework.
• This led to an amendment of the FCO in February 2021, officially bringing biostimulants under regulation for production, sale, and import.

FCO Guidelines on Biostimulants

• The inclusion of biostimulants under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) empowers the Central government to set specifications.
• The FCO classifies biostimulants into eight categories such as botanical extracts, seaweed extracts, bio-chemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
• Manufacturers or importers must apply to the Controller of Fertilisers, submitting details about the product’s chemistry, source, shelf-life, bio-efficacy trial results, and toxicity data.
  • Toxicity testing involves five acute toxicity tests on rats and rabbits, and four eco-toxicity tests assessing impact on birds, fish, honeybees, and earthworms.
• Biostimulants must not contain pesticide residues beyond 0.01 ppm.
• Efficacy trials must be conducted at three doses across three agro-ecological zones for one season through recognised agricultural institutions.
• Additionally, a Central Biostimulant Committee was formed in April 2021, chaired by the Agriculture Commissioner.
• This committee advises the government on new biostimulant inclusion, setting standards, testing protocols, lab requirements, and other regulatory matters.